Chandigarh: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday accused the BJP-led Centre of using Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raids to launch its election campaign in the state.
Speaking to reporters in Chandigarh, Mann alleged that similar raids had been carried out in states going to polls in the past, targeting political leaders and their associates.
He cited raids involving associates of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Aam Aadmi Party leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in Delhi. He also referred to similar action in Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Mann questioned the speed with which the Punjab matter was handed over to the CBI and investigated, saying several cases had remained pending in courts for long periods. He alleged that the development was aimed at harassing and defaming the AAP government in Punjab.
The chief minister said the Punjab government and AAP were ready to cooperate with any investigation.
“Whenever the summons reach us through the proper channel, we will appear and cooperate with the investigation,” Mann said.
